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Nigeria/Benin: Fate Lies With Elephants
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The Nation (Nairobi)
29 January 2008
Posted to the web 28 January 2008
Charles Nyende
Accra
Nigeria face Benin Tuesday at the Sekondi Stadium in a Group B tie knowing a win will not be enough to guarantee them of a quarter-final stage.
Their fate lies in the hands of Cote d'Ivoire who play Mali at the Ohene Djan Stadium as the group winds up its matches.
Cote d'Ivoire, with a maximum six points, have already advanced to the last eight and can help Nigeria's cause by beating Mali.
Coach Berti Vogts, who has come under heavy criticism over Nigeria's performance insisted that the team could still qualify for the quarter-final. The Super Eagles, with just a point, will have to beat Benin by a good margin and pray Mali, on four points, lose to Cote d'Ivoire.
Mali will not let things go the Super Eagles way. Their coach Jean-Francois Jodar said he was not planning for a draw, which would see the Les Aigles through regardless of the Nigeria/Benin match, but will be going for a win against the Elephants.
The two matches are thus expected to be explosive as Mali and Nigeria fight to survive in the competition.
The Super Eagles have not really played well with their highly regarded front line of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins, John Utaka, Peter Odemwingie, Nwankwo Kanu and Stephen Makinwa failing to produce a single goal in two matches played.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel together with Seyi Olofinjana, Victor Nsofor have not given this attack line the service to make them match their reputation.
Can reach quarters
Benin under one time Kenya coach Reinhard Fabisch will be emboldened by Nigeria's lackluster performance and fancy their chances of pulling off an upset.
In stylish Le Mans' midfielder Stephane Sessegnon, Oumar Tchomogo and Razack Omotoyossi, the Squirrels have the ability to bow out in style.
Mali's deadly striker Frederic Kanoute said prior to the tournament that his team was capable of getting to the quarter-finals. The Malians now hold their fate in their own hands.
Liverpool's Mohamed Sisoko, Seydou Keita (Sevilla) and Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid) and Dramane Traore (Lokomotive Moscow) form a quality midfield that can match any in Africa. But they face an assured Cote d'Ivoire side that has so far lived to the pundits' verdict of the best team in Africa.
The Elephants have shown an all around balance and individual brilliance that makes them such a deadly team. Abdul Kadir Keita, Didier Zakoro, Salomon Kalou, aruna Dindane and of course Didier Drogba have simply had that extra class.
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The Elephants, who may miss the services of Kolo Toure with a groin injury, will want to maintain their momentum with another win, making this an enticing encounter.
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